Practice Support Update Blog

QPP Newsletter Updates

Jul 16, 2025 9:30:00 AM / by Practice Support Team posted in quality payment program, practice management, CMS, Medicare advantage

0 Comments

Today we bring you updates from the latest CMS QPP Newsletter for Small Practices:


CMS Proposes Policy Changes for Quality Payment Program

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued its Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Proposed Rule, which includes proposed policies for the Quality Payment Program (QPP).

The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) includes proposals for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs), as well as several Requests for Information (RFIs).

Specifically, we’re proposing policies that:

  • Continue the transformation of MIPS through MIPS Value Pathways (MVPs).
  • Are responsive to feedback and concerns raised by interested parties.
  • Maintain stability within the MIPS program through the established performance threshold.

2026 Policy Proposal Highlights

Key QPP policies that we are proposing in the CY 2026 PFS Proposed Rule include:

  • Introducing 6 new MVPs for the 2026 performance year that are related to diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, neuropsychology, pathology, podiatry, and vascular surgery.
  • Introducing a 2-year informational-only feedback period for new cost measures, allowing clinicians to receive feedback on their score(s) and find opportunities to improve performance before a new cost measure affects their MIPS final score.
  • Maintaining the current performance threshold policies, leaving the performance threshold set at 75 points through the 2028 performance year.
  • Introducing Qualifying APM Participant (QP) determinations at the individual level, in addition to existing determinations at the APM entity level.

Overview of RFIs

We are also seeking feedback on RFIs about the following topics:

  • Establishing Core Elements for MVPs, to require reporting on key quality measures within each MVP.
  • Establishing a process to assign clinicians to an MVP, to facilitate the most relevant reporting for their scope of care.
  • Transitioning to FHIR-based electronic clinical quality measure (eCQM) reporting in quality reporting programs.
  • Understanding the current environment, including challenges, with collecting and exchanging high-quality healthcare data.
  • Changing requirements for the Query of Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) Measure and Performance-Based Measures in the Public Health and Clinical Data Exchange Objective.
Read More

Opioid Use Disorder Screening and Treatment

May 14, 2024 1:12:00 PM / by Practice Support Team posted in Primary Care, medicare, screening, opioid use disorder, Medicare advantage

0 Comments

Human male face made of several different people, artistic concept vertical collage

Medicare pays for opioid use disorder (OUD) screenings performed by physicians and non-physician practitioners.  If you diagnose your patient with OUD, they also pay for treatment services.

Read More

Making Care Primary

Aug 16, 2023 3:15:00 PM / by Practice Support Team posted in Primary Care, practice management, Medicare advantage

0 Comments

The Making Care Primary (MCP) Model is a 10.5 year multi-payer model with three participation tracks. MCP aims to improve care for beneficiaries by supporting the delivery of advanced primary care services. 

Read More

HHS Releases Initial Guidance for Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program

Feb 14, 2023 2:30:00 PM / by Practice Support Team posted in medicare, prescriptions, Medicare advantage

0 Comments

Under President Biden’s prescription drug law, drug companies will pay rebates to the federal government for raising prescription drug prices faster than the rate of inflation

Read More

CMS wants to hear from you!

Aug 2, 2022 2:09:00 PM / by Practice Support Team posted in medicare, Medicare advantage

0 Comments

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a Request for Information seeking public comment on the Medicare Advantage program.

Read More
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

Practice Support Services

Health care practices in North Carolina face many challenges. Our team of quality improvement coaches (QICs) have skills and expertise to support you in your transformation efforts.

To learn more about Practice Support Click Here

Apply for practice support services - fill out an application here

Subscribe to Blog Updates

Additional Resources:
Tip Sheets
Lib Guides
Interactive Resource Guides
Digital Library
Join email list

Connect With Us:

Posts by Topic

See all

In Case You Missed It... Check Out These Recent Posts